Rescue mission saves adult lions and nine cubs from French circus

france - AAP Foundation rescues twelve lions, including nine cubs, from a French circus where they were kept locked in circus wagons in violation of French law.

The AAP Foundation has taken in twelve lions from a French circus, including one male, two females, and nine cubs. Since December 2023, it has been illegal in France to breed wild animals in circuses. The cubs are believed to have been born in captivity last summer, making the circus in violation of the law. Peter de Haan, spokesperson for the AAP Foundation who was present during the rescue, stated, "Performances were no longer allowed, so the animals were locked up in circus wagons week after week."

The foundation from Almere had attempted to remove the animals from the circus two weeks earlier, but the employees refused to cooperate. "That's when you realize that such a circus has a lot of power. The police simply walked away, and then it was no longer safe for us," De Haan explained.

The second attempt succeeded, partly due to the collaboration with the foundation's French partner, Code Animal, and the French authorities. "It was quite tense, but in the end, the circus cooperated – albeit very reluctantly," De Haan said. He noted a 'threatening atmosphere' during the removal of the animals: "We are taking away the animals they consider as family. These people have been working with those animals for years, so I can understand that to some extent. But when you see how they are kept, you think: they have to leave here."

Once they arrive in Spain, they will go into quarantine. The AAP Foundation will then examine them to determine the health status of the animals. "At first glance, they seem healthy, but they are weak. Being locked up, you notice that their muscles are weak," De Haan remarked.